Middle East

Suicide blast hits Iraqi police

At least five killed in Ramadi checkpoint car bombing a day after 15 killed in Baghdad.

18 Aug 2008 23:51 GMT

Iraq police checkpoints have often been the target of attacks [EPA]

Ramadi, the capital of western al-Anbar province, was once one of the most dangerous places in Iraq when al-Qaeda in Iraq and its allies held sway there but has become safer since local Sunni Arab tribes population turned against al-Qaeda fighters in late 2006 and 2007.

Attacks still occur, however, and police and US-backed neighbourhood patrols are frequently targeted.